Knowledge and Attitude Assessment of Pharmacists toward Telepharmacy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Anoud Alanazi, Omar Alnobani, Nour Alkamel, Mohammad Alhosaini, Mohammed Abdullah Al Qattan, Ahmad AlbarrakAbstract
Background:
Innovative technologies have driven various changes in every sector, including pharmaceutical fields. New technologies have affected both pharmaceutical services and delivery methods. Telepharmacy is a new concept in pharmaceutical provision and has yet to be launched in Saudi Arabia.
Objective:
To ensure successful implementation of new technologies in healthcare, it is crucial to assess the knowledge and attitudes of users. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists toward telepharmacy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as no scientific research has yet examined this topic in the region.
Materials and Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacists from nine governmental hospitals in Riyadh from June to September 2019. Participants were pharmacists across all professional levels (pharmacist, pharmacist one, consultant pharmacist, and pharmacy resident) as well as pharmacy interns, and their responses were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire.
Results:
Of the 700 questionnaires distributed, 465 were returned (66% response rate). The participants were predominantly female (76%) and younger than 40 years (91%). This study showed that most pharmacists (58%) had a low knowledge level about telepharmacy, while only 13% had adequate knowledge. However, 93.1% of pharmacists believed that information and communications technology has a potential role in healthcare. Additionally, 91.6% thought telepharmacy could save time and money, and 92.7% believed it could reduce effort.
Conclusion:
Telepharmacy is not yet recognized in Saudi Arabia. While most pharmacists demonstrated a high willingness to adopt it, with the majority showing positive attitudes, still, the low level of knowledge suggests that further education and training are necessary. Enhancing pharmacists’ knowledge will be essential for successful implementation, with further research warranted in the future.